10 Apps To Download When Visiting Thailand

You booked your holiday, have researched where to visit now you need make sure you know which apps to download when visiting Thailand.

This list covers everything you’ll need to make your holiday easy without overloading your phone or causing you to become a phone zombie during your trip! Also all of these apps have an English language version and some offer other languages too.

Grab Taxi

Grab Taxi is a must have for anyone visiting Thailand. It’s basically Uber. Uber were taken over by Grab here in Thailand. The app works in that you can choose a starting point, drop off location and the type of car you would like ( taxi, SUV, limo etc). They also offer motorbike trips if you are feeling brave!

In major cities such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai you’ll have no problems with grab but in other cities local taxi drivers sometimes take offense to people using Grab as it is much cheaper than their inflated rates, especially for tourists.

You can link a credit card to the app or choose to pay with cash. In Bangkok the taxis will use a meter and you pay an additional 20 baht fee for using the Grab app.

This really is a must have for anyone visiting Thailand. However please note that you can’t use Grab when traveling from an airport, you can use it to travel to an airport though.

Eatigo

Eatigo is an app which offers discounted prices on restaurant bookings. You can often get between 10-50% off depending on the restaurant, your group size and the time you visit.

Right now the app has discounts at restaurants in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. There are a huge range of restaurants covering local Thai food as well as international cuisine. Most deals will be on food only, normally drinks, especially alcoholic drinks, aren’t included in the promotions.

You can search by location, use a map to show you nearby deals or by restaurant type. You can also see reviews other users have left and see sample menus for many restaurants.

Line

Line is a communication app much like Whats App. Here in Thailand Line is used by pretty much everyone. If you plan to communicate with Thai people then you simply must download this app.

Even if you aren’t meeting friends here then it is useful as if you are on a tour or using a private driver you’ll have an easy way to communicate.

Line offers a range of useful features such as being able to send someone your location (if your lost) and being able to send photos and videos to either a single person or a group.

Agoda

Agoda is the most well-known hotel booking app in South East Asia. If you’re coming here without booking all of your accommodation then you can’t go wrong with Agoda.

They have good rates, lots of information and a map with nearby hotels set at different price points. Even if you don’t choose to book on the app you can use it as a great resource for finding a place. There are lots of reviews of hotels online too.

Phone Network App

There are lots of different phone operators here in Thailand, check our review of them here. Regardless of your choice of network you simply must download their app.

The apps will show you your current usage and allow you to top up using a credit card. If you find yourself outside a common tourist area then it might be hard to find someone who speaks English and can help you top up your phone balance.

The phone apps also offer special promotions for certain products. For example in some shops and restaurants you could get up to 25% off your meal or something extra for free by simply showing a code from your network’s app.

Moovit

Moovit is a pretty recent addition to the app store. It allows you to put in two locations in Bangkok and it will show you all the public transport options.

The English on this app isn’t always perfect but it is the best option if you are thinking of using a bus or boat in Bangkok.

They also have several offline maps including for the Klong Saen Saep canal boat and the local train network.

Learn Thai - Phrasebook

Thai is a difficult language. However it’s always nice to know a few locals words wherever you travel to. This great app covers the basic and has audio which is great because you can press the word or phrase and a Thai person can listen to it and understand rather than you trying to read it off a screen.

You hope there won’t be an emergency but this app has your back with phrases such as “Where is the hospital” and “Where is the nearest police station?”.

There is also a paid for pro version for those who want to learn much more than the basics. For those who are looking for a physical begginers Thai book (or e-book) check out 100 Words to Start Speaking Thai.

SuperRichTH

SuperRich are probably the most famous currency converters in Thailand have the best rates usually. Their app shows their locations and also gives you currency conversion rates.

Sure there are many other currency conversion apps out there such as XE but as you’re in Thailand it’s useful to use the app with a provider you can actually exchange money at.

7 - Eleven TH

7- Eleven is the most common convenience store in Thailand. It’s also many tourist’s best friend.

You can do so much at 7 – Eleven and it’s also somewhere which is almost guaranteed to have an ATM. The app has a store locator so you can find the nearest branch.

Most stores offer a wide range of international products as well as basic supplies. I’d be surprised if you stay here for two weeks and never go into a 7 – Eleven!

Thai Visa

Thai Visa is the largest expat forum in Thailand. It also covers news stories in the country.

Sure you’re only coming here for a holiday but there is lots of useful information on visas and travelling on the site. If you have a question then it will be answered quickly. Like all forums there are some “characters” who might not be the most helpful but overall it does a good job for finding information.